Kenya Crackdown On Foreign Traders Sparks Diplomatic Row

According to the BBC, Kenya's order targeting foreign nationals working as traders or running small businesses has triggered panic among migrants, a diplomatic row with Burundi and a 90-day registration window for undocumented foreign nationals. President William Ruto said foreign nationals operating small businesses had until 7 September to close shop, while the government later said those registering would be presumed to be living legally in Kenya during the process. The move has affected Burundian tuk-tuk driver Ndaikech Ali and others in Nairobi, where some foreign nationals have queued at embassies for travel documents and others have reportedly left border areas stranded. Burundian foreign affairs minister warned that what he called hate speech against Burundi could have consequences for Kenyans abroad, and Kenyan foreign affairs official Korir Sing'Oei visited the Burundian embassy to apologize and promise protection from violence. The controversy has also drawn criticism from academics and economists, who said the president's remarks were likely to be misread and that the policy needed clearer communication. The BBC reported that Kenya earned $56m in exports to Burundi last year, while Ruto later said Kenya would remain open, secure and welcoming and would protect the rights of people lawfully in the country.